B1 PRELIMINARY · VOCABULARY · TOPIC VOCABULARY

Work and jobs

Words like a part-time job, earn, apply for and work experience.

Finn the puffin with glasses and a book, your vocabulary teacher
Finn says

Jobs come up in Speaking Part 1 (What would you like to do in the future?), Listening interviews and Writing emails. Learn the words in groups, with the words they go with, and try to use two or three of them next time you practise Speaking or Writing.

Getting a job

apply for
ask for a job in writing
I'm going to apply for a summer job.
an interview
a meeting where they ask you questions
I have a job interview on Monday.
work experience
time working to learn about a job
I did two weeks of work experience in a hotel.
a part-time / full-time job
some hours / all the week
She has a part-time job in a café.

At work

earn
get money for work
How much do you earn?
a boss / a colleague
the person in charge / someone you work with
My colleagues are really helpful.
a salary
money you get every month
The salary is good, but the hours are long.
be responsible for
have a job to do
I'm responsible for answering the phone.

Make it better

The same idea, first in basic English, then in the kind of language that gets a higher mark.

  • Basic: I want to work in a hotel.Better: I'd love to work in a hotel because I enjoy meeting people.A reason makes the answer stronger.
  • Basic: I get money in a café.Better: I earn some money in a café at weekends.The right verb for money from work.
  • Basic: The people in my work are nice.Better: My colleagues are really friendly.One precise word.
Finn the puffin, smiling kindly
Finn's exam tip

When the examiner asks about your future job, use 'I'd like to…', 'I'm thinking of…' or 'I hope to…' and give a reason with 'because'.

Quick check

Choose the best answer.

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